Odama

Odama is one of the quirkiest of quirky games by the master of quirky, Yoot Saito.

Just when you thought it was safe to purchase a GameCube, in rolls Odama. This is one of the quirkiest of quirky games by the master of quirky, Yoot Saito.

Saito, you will recall, created Seaman for the lamented Sega Saturn. Although Odama does not ask you to nurture and trade vocal witticisms with a wise-ass manfish it does require you to conquer ancient Japan with a giant pinball and the GameCube microphone.

Odama is a war strategy game that requires you to dust off your flipper skills as you voice military commands into the mic. If you're keeping score, yes, Odama now totals three niche game concepts rolled into one game.

The story (yes, there is one) takes place in ancient Japan, where you must restore a deposed ruling family to power. You play across maps where you command one of two opposing armies. The Odama is pretty much a huge steelie that you propel with giant "flippers" across the landscape to mow down enemy troops and obliterate obstacles. You're also trying to clear a path for a couple of your A.I.-controlled troopers who are carrying a large magic bell. If they safely reach designated target gates you beat the level. To assist you in battle you command an army of warriors and foot soldiers by issuing commands through the GC mic.

Odama looks like one tasty nougat of weirdness. If Nintendo decides to eschew an English translation and the keep the great, melodramatic Japanese dialog in the preview version with English subtitles that would endow Odama with a fourth niche concept. That could very well seal its nomination for a place near Seaman in the August hall of the strange.

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